Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 11, 2023
A part of the question paper for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IAS, Railway-RRB, UPPSC, UGC NET, SBI, MPPSC, etc., is devoted to the Current Affairs section. Moreover, scoring well in this portion is not difficult if we have a sound preparation plan. Candidates can ace the current affairs section of any exam by using the right tools and daily news analysis.
The most recent events from around the globe have been selected by our specialists at Embibe and are included in this post.
Motivation++
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
– Charles Darwin
Current Affairs: Days and Events
World Hindi Day 2023
“हिन्दी हैं हम, वतन है हिन्दोस्तां हमारा”
Vishwa Hindi Diwas, also known as World Hindi Day, is observed on January 10. The purpose of the day is to promote the language.
Additionally, January 10 is the anniversary of the language’s first use in the UN General Assembly.
This day is different and from National Hindi Day celebrated on September 14th every year.
The Constituent assembly of India adopted and recognised Hindi as one of the official languages of India in 1949.
History:
First observed in 2006 on Manmohan Singh’s orders as Prime Minister, Vishwa Hindi Diwas. The date of January 10 was chosen since it was on that day in 1949 that Hindi was first spoken in the UN General Assembly.
In 1975, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi established the World Hindi Conference with the goal of bringing together Hindi scholars, writers, and laureates who have contributed to the growth of the language and value their efforts.
Significance:
The Ministry of External Affairs organises a number of events worldwide to raise awareness about Hindi on the occasion of World Hindi Day.
Every year on January 10, the celebration emphasises on fostering a love for the language as well as raising awareness of Hindi as an international language.
Hindi is spoken mostly in the northern half of India but you’ll be surprised to know that in countries like Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Nepal, Trindad, and Tobago Hindi also recognise Hindi and it is spoken by the locals.
Fact:
Hindi is the most spoken language globally after English and Mandarin Chinese.
It is spoken by 600 million people across the world.
Question:
Consider the following statements:
Vishwa Hindi Diwas, also known as World Hindi Day, is observed on January 10 every year.
National Hindi Day is celebrated on September 14th every year.
Hindi is also recognised as an spoken language in the countries like Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Trindad and Tobago.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Both 1 and 2
C. Only 2 and 3
D. All are correct
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Defence
SPRINT Scheme
The Indian Navy has signed an agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for armed autonomous boat swarms under ‘SPRINT’, an initiative to promote the development of niche defence technologies by domestic companies.
This is the 50th contract under ‘SPRINT’, which aims at the development of 75 indigenous technologies by the industry for the Navy.
What is ‘SPRINT’?
‘SPRINT’ stands for Supporting Pole-vaulting In R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (IdeX), Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC).
It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last July.
It will transform Navy from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builder’s Navy.
Rationale:
The platform will be able to conduct a range of navy and security tasks including high-speed interdiction; surveillance; constabulary operations; Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR); and low-intensity maritime operations.
Question:
Recently, the Indian Navy has signed an agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for the development of which of the following defence equipment under ‘SPRINT’ initiative?
A. Torpedoes
B. Gatling gun
C. Boat swarms
D. Submarine
Answer: C
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
IISER Pune’s New Material Removes Pollutants from Water
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune came up with a custom-designed unique molecular sponge-like material—macro/microporous ionic organic framework—which can swiftly clean polluted water by soaking up sinister contaminants.
What are the Contamination Found in Water?
It has been identified that various organic (organic dyes, antibiotics, pesticides, etc.) as well as inorganic toxic pollutants such as iodides, and oxo-pollutants like perrhenate that are carcinogenic in freshwater sources and can pose a direct threat to humanity and living organisms.
How does this New Technology Work?
Commonly utilised sorbent materials often trap these pollutants through ion-exchange strategy to purify water but suffer from poor kinetics and specificity.
To mitigate this issue, IISER has prepared a newly engineered material called viologen-unit grafted organic-framework (iVOFm).
The material employs amalgamation of electrostatics driven ion-exchange combined with nanometer-sized macropores and specific binding sites for the targeted pollutants.
The size and number of tunable macropores along with the strong electrostatic interaction of iVOFm can quickly remove various toxic pollutants from water.
The fast pollutant trapping capacity is attributed to the faster diffusion of pollutants through the ordered interconnected presence of macropores in the material.
This cationic compound is adaptable for sequestering various pollutants and is a possible solution to the water pollution problem.
About Fast Diffusion:
This material features inherent cationic nature and macroporosity to allow fast diffusion of pollutants.
When tested for a wide array of water pollutants, it showed an ultrafast capture of all the pollutants—both organic and inorganic—with over 93% removal in just 30 seconds.
Question:
Recently researchers of which of the following institutes has developed an unique molecular sponge-like material that can swiftly clean polluted water by soaking up sinister contaminants?
A. IIT Delhi
B. IISC Bangalore
C. IISER Pune
D. DRDO
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Sports
Pooja Mehta from Ahmedabad Creates World Record at the World Powerlifting Competition, Russia
Ms. Pooja Ajaykumar Mehta from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, became the first from our country – India as, a winner of two Gold Medals, and she also broke the world record in dead weight lifting.
She lifted a total weight of 240 kg, winning the first position in dead weight lifting.
Details:
It is also to be noted that in this world completion, the following three candidates had also participated from India
1. Shaktisinh Solanki
2. Dushyant Goswami
3. Vishal Thakkar
All three candidates won Gold Medal and were awarded trophies for Best Team India.
Past Winner Who Holds This World Record:
In one of the categories, Shawver Brittney from the USA had a world record of 120 Kgs in the past. But, now, Pooja Mehta has broken the world record in the first attempt at dead weight lifting with 126 kg.
Again, Pooja could break her own record of 126 kg as per the new world record by lifting 140 kilograms, winning the trophy for India.
Question:
Which of the following athletes recently created a world record at the World Powerlifting competition held in Russia?
A. Shaktisinh Solanki
B. Dushyant Goswami
C. Vishal Thakkar
D. Pooja Mehta
Answer: D
Current Affairs: International Relations, Diplomacy
India Provides 75 Buses to Sri Lanka as Part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy
India has handed 75 passenger buses to Sri Lanka as part of its assistance towards strengthening public transport infrastructure in the cash-strapped country.
In a similar move, India handed 125 SUVs to the Sri Lanka Police under a line of credit in December to support the island nation and help it address the serious mobility restriction issues faced by the police, due to the non-availability of vehicles.
Details:
A total of 500 buses will be supplied to Sri Lanka through Indian assistance.
As part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, India has extended multi-pronged assistance to Sri Lanka to help the country tide over its worst economic and humanitarian crisis since its independence from Great Britain in 1948.
In May last year, the Sri Lankan government declared a debt default on over $51 billion in the foreign loan, a first in the country’s history.
While in January, India announced a $900 million loan to Sri Lanka to build up its depleted foreign reserves as the financial crisis began to unfold.
Question:
Recently, India provided 75 buses to which of the following countries as part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy?
A. Myanmar
B. Bangladesh
C. Sri Lanka
D. Bhutan
Answer: C
Current Affairs: History and Culture
Gujarat’s Harappan Necropolis Reveals Death Rituals of 5,000 Years Ago
Excavations at one of the biggest necropolises of the Harappan era in Gujarat have shown what history has repeatedly demonstrated around the world ancient humans buried the dead with afterlife items like personal artefacts, sacred animals, and pots of food and water.
Details:
Excavations at Juna Khatiya village (Kutch district) found rows of graves with skeletal remains, ceramic pots, beaded jewellery, animal bones, etc.
These are from 3,200 BCE to 2,600 BCE, (pre-urban Harappan), predating several other Harappan sites in the state.
Key Findings:
Other sites like Dholavira have a cemetery in and around the town, but no major habitation has been discovered here.
The site demonstrates the transition from earth-mound burials to stone graves. Pottery has features and styles similar to those excavated from early Harappan sites in Sindh and Balochistan.
Pebbles of local rock, basalt, etc., were used for construction, and clay was used to bind them together.
Burial Rituals of Indus Valley Civilisation Facts:
The most common burial method was placing the body with the head towards the north in a simple pit or brick chamber.
Grave goods, including food, pottery, tools, and ornaments, can be found along with the body.
Lothal provides evidence of the burial of pairs of males and females together.
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: Defence
Army’s Rightsizing Plan
Roping in veterans with expertise in specific areas for its training institutions on a contractual basis, cross-skilling technical trades, and outsourcing several services at its static units—these are part of the Army’s planned manpower optimisation exercise aimed at sharpening its tooth-to-tail ratio (the number of military personnel it takes to supply and support a combat soldier).
Why This Exercise?
This exercise is aimed at sharpening its tooth-to-tail ratio (number of military personnel it takes to supply and support a combat soldier).
The Army’s rightsizing plan was first recommended by Shekatkar committee with a focus on the creation of a leaner force and sharpening its combat edge amid changing dynamics of modern warfare.
Training Institutes Associated:
Category A training institutions include the Dehradun-based Indian Military Academy, the Army War College and the Infantry School in Mhow, among others. Category B training institutions include various regimental centres.
It is also being discussed if National Cadet Corps (NCC) training can be handed over to veterans on a contractual basis.
FactBook – 10th January 2023
UP Government Launches “UP Global City” Campaign
Ahead of the upcoming Global Investors’ Summit and G-20 Summit, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a statewide 100-day ‘UP Global City’ campaign.
The move aims to transform the lifestyle of urban bodies of the state on a par with global standards.
The campaign was launched by state Urban Development and Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma.
The 100-day ‘UP Global City’ campaign has been launched in all 762 urban bodies. The campaign will focus on urban facilities, improving air quality, cleanliness, and beautification. It also aims at proper disposal of garbage.
Paytm Payments Bank Appoints Surinder Chawla as the New MD and CEO
Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) recently appointed veteran banker Surinder Chawla as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), after approval from RBI, for the term of three years.
Chawla will succeed Paytm Payment Bank’s last CEO Satish Kumar Gupta who retired in October 2022, with Deependra Singh Rathore serving as the interim CEO.
Prior to Paytm, Chawla was associated with RBL Bank as Head–Branch Banking and focused on expanding the CASA base, fee revenue, and cross-selling across channels.
Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi Released a Book ‘Chief Minister’s Diary No.1’
Former Chief Justice of India and member of the Rajya Sabha Ranjan Gogoi recently released a book ‘Chief Minister’s Diary No.1’ containing the account of events of the first year in the office of Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Ranjan Gogoi is presently a member of the Rajya Sabha.
He served as the 46th Chief Justice of India for 13 months from 2018 to 2019.
First Kashmiri Jhanpith Awardee, Rehman Rahi Dies
Professor Rehman Rahi, renowned poet and Kashmir’s first Jnanpith awardee, took his last breath in the early hours on Monday at his residence in the Nowshera area of Kashmir.
At the time of his death, the globally acclaimed poet was 98 years old.
Rahi published multiple books of poetry and translated the writings of some of the world’s most famous poets into Kashmiri.
In 2007, he got the top literary honour in the country, the Jnanpith award, for his collection ‘Siyah Rood Jaeren Manz’ (In Black Drizzle).
In addition, he received the Padma Shri award in 2000 for his contributions. Rahi earned the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book of poems ‘Nawroz-i-Saba’ in 1961.
Sagol Kangjei
Recently, the Union Home Minister inaugurated a 122-foot-tall statue of a Polo player astride a Manipur Pony in Imphal.
It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur.
The Manipur Pony is one of five recognised equine breeds of India, and has a powerful cultural significance for Manipuri society.
The Lai-Haraoba festival of the state depicts the life and times of Khori-phaba, the polo-playing god of sports.
The origins of polo in Manipur are associated mythologically with Marjing, the God of the Chenglei tribe, to whom a structure similar to the ancient polo stick along and a ball are still offered in worship.
Parshuram Kund Festival-Kumbh of Northeast
Parshuram Kund Mela is an annual religious fair which is celebrated near Parshuram Kund, which is based at nearly three miles from the north-eastern portion of Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh which is the district headquarters of the district of Lohit in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
It is believed that a dip in the holy water of Parshuram Kund washes away all the sins.
Parashuram Kund is situated within the Kamlang Reserve Forest area.
This place on the Lohit River carries a strong mythological link with the legend of Parshurama, a Hindu sage.
According to the legend, sage Parsurama washed away his sin of matricide in the waters of the Lohit river at Bramhakund.
New Species of Migratory Birds Sighted in Tripura
New species of migratory birds from Siberia and Europe were sighted at Sukhsagar lake in Tripura’s Gomati district this year, according to an ornithologist.
The birds which were sighted for the first time this year are Ruff, found in Europe, Oriental pratincole, and Common Crane from Siberia in Russia.
“Three new species of birds from Siberia and Europe have been sighted in Sukhsagar lake. The flow of migratory birds this year into the lake is also amazing”, Dipankar Sinha, an ornithologist and member of the state Biodiversity Board, said.
Landslide-Subsidence Zone
The tiny town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand is on edge with 610 of a total of 4,500 buildings developing cracks. Authorities have declared it a landslide-subsidence zone, evacuating residents after they were deemed unfit for habitation.
The United States Geological Survey describes land subsidence as a gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth’s surface due to the removal or displacement of subsurface earth materials. According to the American body, subsidence is a global problem, and in the United States more than 17,000 square miles in 45 states have been directly affected by subsidence.
Subsidence is most often caused by the removal of water, oil, natural gas, or mineral resources out of the ground by pumping, fracking, or mining activities.
This feature can also be caused by natural events such as earthquakes, soil compaction, erosion and sinkhole formation.
In India, the main cause of subsidence is the unregulated pumping of groundwater and the rapid pace of urbanisation.
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